Chapter 180

The shadow team members, looking somewhat disheveled, pressed forward.

After the gas explosion and the Pokémon self-destructs, they had endured numerous traps. Though their protective suits minimized casualties, they had lost many Dark Pokémon—and…

That's disgusting!

At this stage, nearly every shadow team member was holding back a surge of rage, waiting only to encounter the Rainbow Team so they could vent their pent-up frustration.

And to satisfy their demands, Baimu and others had come.

Boom—!

The ground beneath their feet suddenly shattered, and in an instant, a massive silver-glittering beast exploded upward, emitting a piercing shriek like a high-speed train racing forward!

"Attack! Dark Charge!"

"Dark Storm!"

The shadow team members frantically unleashed their Dark Pokémon, ordering them to assault the Ultra-Size Steelix.

At the same moment.

Pokémon continuously emerged from surrounding buildings, firing various ranged attacks at them; Rainbow Team members moved through the swarm of Pokémon, constantly hurling flash bombs and poison gas bombs.

The front and rear members of the shadow team were drawn away, releasing their Dark Pokémon to engage them.

Those in the center continued targeting the Ultra-Size Steelix.

"Roar!"

The Ultra-Size Steelix, taking several hits, let out a pained roar—but it did not retreat. Instead, it twisted and shifted its body, positioning itself upright and spinning its four horizontal steel bones wildly!

Rumble-rumble-rumble—

A furious sandstorm rapidly gathered, transforming into a colossal, sky-to-earth dust storm like a natural disaster, blotting out the sun and flinging back most of the Dark Pokémon charging forward!

"Such a powerful Pokémon!"

The shadow team's officers were stunned by the Ultra-Size Steelix and shouted urgently: "Don't get close! Ranged attacks! Use ranged!"

No matter how many enter this sandstorm, they're all thrown back—only sufficiently fierce ranged attacks can destroy it.

"Dark Storm!"

"Dark Lightning—ah!"

A shadow team member suddenly screamed; those nearby turned and saw two glowing blue spheres rising from the ground.

"Grrr—!"

Bonsly swung its arm casually, and Peng De sent the man flying, then tilted its head and roared wildly as more Pokémon surged out from behind it!

They were clearly emerging from the pit dug by the Ultra-Size Steelix!

"Roar!"

Bonsly moved like a rolling heavy tank, radiating blinding Bai Guang as it continuously knocked away numerous Dark Pokémon, specifically targeting shadow team members.

Whenever it caught one, it swung them around like a baseball bat.

You think your protective suit makes you tough? Let's see how tough you really are!

Jigglypuff used its small size to glide between Pokémon via Electromagnetic Float, dashing in to punch or kick any enemy whose ally was in danger.

Clefairy shuttled between rescuing the wounded; to most people, Dark Pokémon and regular Pokémon were hard to tell apart—but for Clefairy, who could perceive others' emotions, it was effortless.

Without a doubt.

Under Baimu and N's design, the shadow team members caught between front and rear assaults were thrown into chaos, nearly unable to distinguish friend from foe.

But because Dark Pokémon could trade damage, and the two hundred shadow team members carried nearly a thousand Dark Pokémon, Steelix and the others gradually began to falter.

"Retreat! Don't engage! Retreat!"

The command to retreat echoed from above.

Some Dark Pokémon attacked the sky—but what came down was only a drone.

More drones began broadcasting Baimu's voice, ordering Bonsly and Steelix and the others to retreat with the injured and incapacitated Pokémon.

In the alley, Baimu and Awu gasped for breath, surrounded by fallen Dark Pokémon and several shadow team members.

The former shouted into a walkie-talkie nonstop, while Jigglypuff guarded him; Awu's Double Axe Dragon and Crimson Face Dragon were covered in wounds, vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

Though they never expected N's tamed Pokémon to defeat the shadow team outright, the speed of the tide's turn was still too fast.

To avoid unnecessary casualties in a prolonged battle, retreat was necessary.

"Take your people to the second line. N and I will cover your retreat." He turned to Awu, ordering him to withdraw.

Awu hesitated, "But—"

"There's no time to hesitate! Go! Tell them to prepare!"

Baimu shoved him forward, about to scold him—

Suddenly.

He looked up at the sky.

"Daylight meteor?"

A brilliant silver light streaked across the sky, then abruptly veered in a sharp arc, hurtling straight toward them.

Then—

Boom—!

The silver meteor crashed down nearby, the ground shattering like brittle cookies; surrounding buildings collapsed instantly, and countless Dark Pokémon chasing the retreating Pokémon were blasted flying!

The grim-faced shadow team members stared blankly at the billowing smoke, exchanging confused glances.

Then, a blurred figure emerged from the smoke.

"Looks like I'm a bit late. You're the Shadow Team, right? These are the Dark Pokémon."

A tall, smiling young man stepped out of the smoke; behind him stood a strange creature like a robot, with eight thick arms, glowing entirely in silver.

"Mekat!"

The latter let out an immensely resonant roar.

A member of the Shadow Team tried to launch an attack, but was stopped by a Shadow Team officer, who keenly sensed that the man before him was no native of Huang Tie Town—neither in demeanor nor in any other aspect.

Deep within his mind, a shadowy figure seemed to match him.

"You—you're who?!"

He shouted loudly: "This is Huang Tie Town! We're suppressing a rebellion! No outsiders dare approach!"

"Suppressing a rebellion… Hah. A bunch of frauds dare call themselves the side of justice."

Champion Dawu surveyed the surroundings, taking in everything, his smile gradually turning cold. "It seems your Pokémon don't agree with your words at all."

The Dark Pokémon, worn down by prolonged battle, had grown frenzied, their eyes slowly covered in crimson.

"Enough talk! Attack him! Strike! All of you—attack!"

One Shadow Team member could no longer hold back and screamed hoarsely.

Numerous Dark Pokémon immediately launched an assault on Champion Dawu.

And at that moment.

Champion Dawu's body vanished as if teleporting, appearing atop the Mega Metagross. In a voice neither loud nor soft, he said: "Very well. Let you people see who is truly the strongest and most powerful in this world."

"Roar!"

"Woo-oo-oo!"

Countless black lightning bolts and black shockwaves slammed into Mega Metagross from all directions, yet were blocked by a pale blue energy wave.

The Shadow Team officer, witnessing this, suddenly trembled—countless memories surged forth.

"It's the Champion! The Hoenn Champion, Champion Dawu!"

He screamed out in terror.